Top Stories

News stories, radio and TV episodes that warrant one of six spots on our homepage. The homepage is in chronological order of publication date, so stories are moved off the homepage as more are categorized “top stories.”

State-run raffle could be new way to fund schools

Each Alaskan adult would be able to donate $100 increments to the raffle, when they apply for their PFD. Each $100 would count as one entry. And once per year, four winners would be drawn. Listen now

Alaska jail sued over alleged mistreatment of Muslim inmates

In a complaint, the Council on American-Islamic Relations claims prisoners in an Anchorage jail are being denied their constitutional rights on observation of Ramadan. Listen now

This man hopes to bring the gavel down on ANWR drilling

If Democrats take control of the U.S. House, the fate of some of Alaska’s biggest resource priorities could rest with an Arizona congressman most Alaskans have never heard of. Listen now

Alaska mission to China kicks off with ceremony, trade talks…and speed dating

The short meetings were a chance for Alaska businesses to introduce themselves directly to what they hope will be a giant market of new customers. Listen now

Urged by Alaska veterans, Sullivan supports cannabis research at VA

Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan is co-sponsoring a bill that calls on the Department of Veterans Affairs to look into the "efficacy and safety" of cannabis in the treatment of veterans diagnosed with "chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder" and other conditions. Listen now

Additional federal gun charges brought on man charged with 2016 killing of Fairbanks policeman

A man already facing a murder charge in state court for shooting a Fairbanks Police officer, has been additionally charged with federal crimes. Listen now

After ending trade talks in DC with an agreement to buy, China finds Alaska looking to sell

China’s top economic adviser returned from a week of trade talks in Washington, D.C. to find Alaska on his doorstep in Beijing.

Alaska AG joins effort to stiffen penalties for drug companies

Lindemuth joins 37 other attorneys general asking senators for higher fines and continued funding connected to the opioid crisis. Listen now

Trump admin sets crosshairs on Park Service predator rule

The Trump administration is trying to erase another part of President Obama's environmental legacy in Alaska: It wants to roll back a National Park Service ban on several controversial methods of killing bears and wolves. Listen now

Federal designation puts Alaska in touch with millions to fight drug-trafficking

Alaska is the last state to get the "high-intensity drug-trafficking" designation, which allows access to a total nationwide funding pool of $250 million. Public safety officials say the money will help facilitate collaboration between federal, state and local law enforcement. Listen now

Late bill amendment allows distillery cocktails to continue

The Alaska Legislature gave distilleries the green light to continue serving cocktails last week. Listen now

Young squeaks Roadless Rule exemption into agriculture bill

It took some doing, but Rep. Don Young squeezed the House for votes Thursday night and got an amendment into the Agriculture bill to exempt Alaska forests from the Roadless Rule. It was a feat that played out on the House floor like political cinema. Listen now

State has started delaying Medicaid payments to some hospitals

The state budget includes $20 million less for Medicaid than state officials say they’ll need. That’s to cover services provided through June 30. Listen now

Murkowski cites rural Alaska in ‘net neutrality’ vote with Dems

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski joined two other Republicans who broke GOP ranks to vote with Democrats on Wednesday in an effort to protect an Obama-era rule on "net neutrality." Listen now

State attorney general wants to give more criminal justice options to tribes

The state is taking steps to expand the criminal justice authority of Alaska Native tribes. Listen now

With Pruitt, Murkowski chides without charring

Sen. Murkowski did not ask confrontational questions of the embattled EPA administrator, but she did not leap to Pruitt's defense, either. Listen now
A square building with red bottom

Anchorage emergency rooms can’t handle number of patients needing psychiatric care

Emergency rooms in Anchorage hospitals cannot keep up with the numbers of patients needing psychiatric care. It's a problem that's pushing people experiencing acute mental crises into more traditional ER's, overburdening staff, delaying care to other patients, and straining an already thin system. Listen now
A wooden dilapidated building

Alaska spent millions. So why is this historic building still a wreck?

The Jesse Lee Home is a nearly century-old former children's home and the birthplace of the Alaska state flag. The nonprofit Friends of the Jesse Lee Home had millions in grants and more than a decade to fix it up, but they now say time is running out. The problem, according to state officials, is that the group mismanaged state funds. Now the Jesse Lee Home is closer than ever to being demolished. Listen now

In murder of ‘all-American’ Palmer teen, first alleged accomplice goes on trial

Prosecutors say Erick Almandinger, 18, was part of a small group of teenage accomplices in David Grunwald's beating, kidnapping and execution. Almandinger's attorney says it's true his client failed to stop the others, but that he isn't guilty of murder. Listen now

Firefighters mop up 250-acre wildfire in Delta

Firefighters mopped up the remains of a 250-acre wildfire Sunday that busted out two days earlier in a largely residential area near Delta Junction. Listen now